Long-Awaited Update on Coyote Who Swam From San Francisco to Alcatraz Is a Massive Relief

Long-Awaited Update on Coyote Who Swam From San Francisco to Alcatraz Is a Massive Relief

Gabrielle LaFrank

Mon, February 2, 2026 at 10:45 PM UTC

2 min read

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Coyote nicknamed 'Floyd' spotted thriving on Alcatraz Island after swimming to safety from San Francisco Bay.
Floyd marks the first documented coyote presence on Alcatraz since 1972, raising questions about his future on the island.
Concerns about Floyd's access to fresh water and human intervention for survival as Golden Gate National Recreation Area monitors his well-being.

Park rangers, biologists, and San Francisco visitors are breathing a sigh of relief after a remarkable coyote has been spotted safe and sound. In fact, he appears to be thriving!

The adventurous coyote, affectionately nicknamed 'Floyd,' was first seen swimming to Alcatraz on January 11. He crawled onto the rocky shore with shaking legs and took time to catch his breath before disappearing among the rocks and brush. After weeks of questions and concern, Floyd has been spotted again, and this time, scientists are keeping a much closer eye on him.

It's fantastic to hear that the adventurous coyote is doing well in his new home. As impressive as it was to think of him navigating San Francisco Bay's chilly waters for over a mile (presuming he came from the city's mainland), his thin and shivering appearance had everyone understandably worried. But now, just a few weeks later, he couldn't appear any healthier.

NBC Bay Area news anchor Gia Vang explains, "This marks the first documented coyote presence on Alcatraz since the island was transferred to the National Park Service in 1972." Considering how animal sightings were not tracked before then, this could mean that Floyd is the first coyote on the island ever.

"If a coyote can make it, I know those prisoners escaped and are still alive," commenter @rodrigo_893 admitted. That could certainly be the case! In 1962, three men escaped from Alcatraz's maximum security prison and presumably swam to safety, and they were never seen again.

Other viewers are less impressed and more concerned about the San Francisco coyote's future on the island. @Nickeebrown13 asked, "They don’t have a fresh water source though, so what is he drinking?"

What's Next For the Alcatraz Coyote?

Others, like tour guide Aidan Moore, who was the first to see the video of the coyote swimming to the island, have had the same concern. He shared that the coyote's future on the island "depends entirely on how it behaves" and whether human intervention is required for his survival.

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is closely monitoring the wild animal and his well-being, though his fate is still uncertain. For now, he's still roaming Alcatraz, where very lucky visitors may be able to catch a glimpse of him.

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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Feb 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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